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Published: March 30th 2009
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Dear Friends, Family, and Loved Ones,
TINY TOONES UPDATE:
Sitting outside the US embassy under a mango tree waiting for 7 of our youth peer mentors to finish their visa interviews. There's a man looking over my shoulder as I type and I feel so intruded upon but its Cambodia lol...they like to watch you do things I’ve realised- Im in a public space though and I guess either he’s never seen a girl type on a laptop before or he just wants to read my personal shizz. Oh well, Ima pretend hes not there...
Its been an awesome past 2 months. Its one thing to be nomadic and venture across Asia during the recession, but its another thing to actually settle down and live in a foreign country you never intended to stay in...
Coming from a care-free, chilled out, laid back developed country with a pretty darn good social welfare system to a country that is still recovering from a mass genocide, consequently trying to develop too quickly, is backwards in so many ways, and where people expect to be micro-managed...I feel like I am so much closer to many of the worlds problems and
Sihanokville
With Baby and Talia get easily frustrated at times. But I’ve also realised that the people and lifestyle here are the majority...
We, citizens of the western world, are actually the minority.
Anyways, thought I'd share that revelation...
Work is great. I am fortunate to say that I’ve found one of those jobs where I stay up late working because I love the work I do and I wake up every morning looking forward to being at the Center. Tiny Toones is going from strength to strength and there is so much potential for our kids to be the positive leaders of tomorrow, to be the trend-setter and set the standard high in the entertainment industry, while changing culture and lives.
Tiny Toones breakdancers/ rappers have performed several times in the past few months for major corporations (The "Man"), including Nokia and Smart Mobile. Doors are opening up here for us like crazy. It's been really exciting working on the business side of things and helping the organisation become sustainable. On April 2, Tiny Toones will be dancing at the Coke International Annual General Meeting (happens to be held in Cambodia this year), in front of the all the different executives
from around the world. Looking forward to putting my networking hat on!
On April 14- May 5, six of our dancers + one rapper have been invited by the University of Wisconsin to participate in their hip-hop week. Not only that but fundraisers and workshops have been organised for them in New York, Philadelphia, Seattle and Long Beach California. AND! I get to be Mum on this tour! Hence why I am sitting outside the US embassy right now praying that these kids get granted visas. I cant wait to be in the Bronx with these kids... the very place where hiphop was birthed! They’ll be battling with all sorts of different crews and meeting different hiphop heads- Its gonna be such a trip and a privilege!
EVERY NATION CHURCH PLANT:
EN Cambodia is just around the corner! Peanut and I met up with a lady from EN Philippines and a guy from EN Thailand a few weeks back and talked about the game plan. God is so faithful. There will be a team from the Philippines coming in May and hopefully it’ll be all go from there.. Let me know if you want to come be
Krump battle
Dhani and Yahn apart of this all you budding missionaries 😊
CULTURE SHOCK:
* WEATHER: 3 seasons: Hot, Hotter and Hottest!
* STREET SAFETY: Driving on the other side of the road into oncoming traffic is perfectly normal and sometimes considered smart
* TRANSPORTATION: Average people on a motorcycle = 4; Average people in a van = 20 (just like Samoa-haha)
* EATING AND CLEANING: No washing machine, no microwave, no stove, no fridge...Hand-washing clothes and no microwave popcorn is not cool 😞
* FASHION: Fashionable for ladies to wear pyjamas out to shopping malls, markets, coffee etc to prove their social status- that they can actually afford PJs! Funny but kinda sad they feel the need to make the statement.
* PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM: One month kids go to school in the morning, the next month they go in the afternoon. Why? Why? Why?
* WEDDINGS: Usually held outdoors in the streets! You can post up anywhere, block off a street and have a wedding lol...
I still can’t believe I'm living in Cambodia sometimes. I especially trip out when I'm on the back of a motorcycle ‘smashing’ through the crazy traffic-
I have to close my eyes sometimes otherwise feels like I'm in Grand Theft Auto!
Anyways, gotta jet now- the kids just came out...
Next update will probably be after the USA tour in May.
XXX YOU ALL! COME TO CAMBODIA IF YOU CAN- It's happening out here!
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LORNA
non-member comment
GREAT STUFF LIZA!!!!
Hi Liza, Yet another great adventure!! I can really see and hear you using your talents well and living a very purposeful life there in your homeland!! Keep up the good work and if my pathway leads me to Cambodia I will let you know, i want to come and join in the fun!!! :)